U.S. Men's Sitting Downs Mexico at Parapan

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Nov. 14, 2011) - The U.S. Men’s Sitting Volleyball Team defeated Mexico, 25-13, 25-11, 25-17 on Monday at the 2011 Parapan American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico.

With the win over Mexico, Team USA stands with a 2-0 record heading into Tuesday’s match against Canada. Earlier on Monday, the U.S. men defeated Brazil in a neck-and-neck, five-set finish.

“It was a good day for Team USA,” U.S. Sitting Volleyball Head Coach Bill Hamiter (Bethany, Okla.) said. “The wins help us in working toward the top seed going into the semifinals. The win against Brazil is a confidence booster.”

The U.S. Men’s Sitting Team dominated the match, leading in kills (38-12), in blocks (8-5) and in aces (6-2).

Hugo Storer (Greensboro, N.C.) led the U.S. in points against Canada with nine kills and one block while both Eric Duda (Fort Lauderdale, Fla./Edmond, Okla.) and Charlie Swearingen (Gulfport, Miss./Edmond, Okla.) contributed nine points. Duda connected on seven kills, one block and one ace while Swearingen posted five kills, three blocks and a single ace.

Roderick Green (West Monroe, La./Edmond, Okla.) and J Dee Marinko (Newcastle, Okla.) charted six points each off of six kills from Green and three blocks, two kills and an ace from Marinko. Daniel Regan (St. Louis, Mo./Edmond, Okla.) contributed five points from three kills and a team-high two aces while team captain Brent Rasmussen (Omaha, Neb.) delivered four spikes.

“Earning two wins the first day of competition gives us a greater sense of confidence moving forward, because if we continue to focus and play our game we can go all the way,” Rasmussen said. “We know we can earn a bid to London if we stay on this path.”

Edgardo Laforest (San Juan, Puerto Rico) ended with an ace and a kill. Ed O’Neil (Amherst, Mass./Edmond, Okla.), the team libero, led the team in digs with seven and had three receptions. Storer led the team in receptions with four.

“We are still a long way from qualifying for London but today was a significant first step,” Hamiter said.